Abu Dhabi:
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have urged residents to stay at home after large parts of the region were lashed by heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms on Tuesday. Schools have switched to online classes and government employees have been asked to work from home.
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has asked residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to prepare for uncertain weather conditions in the next 48 hours, with heavy rainfall expected in these areas until Wednesday, Khaleej Times reported today.
“There is not only a chance of significant rainfall but also a possibility of hailstorms in places like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates,” said Ahmed Habib, expert at the National Center of Meteorology.
The authority also advised people to park their vehicles in safe and elevated locations, away from flood-prone areas.
Heavy to moderate rain, thunder and lightning were seen in the UAE on Monday evening and the unfavorable weather conditions are expected to continue until Wednesday morning, with convective clouds bringing rain and lightning over coastal areas – especially in the north and east of the country, the weather department predicted.
The weather bureau has reported moderate to heavy rainfall over Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujairah, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Several roads were flooded due to persistent rainfall and flights were canceled and delayed at Dubai International Airport.
According to Gulf News, Dubai Tram service was disrupted, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) posted on its social media account.
Traffic disruptions were reported due to road collapses caused by heavy rainfall in areas including Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Al Qou.
The UAE Football Association confirmed that all matches in the “local competitions” scheduled for Tuesday have been canceled due to the storms battering much of the UAE.
Heavy rain, thunder and lightning hit most parts of the UAE, allowing schools and offices to function remotely today.
On Monday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, announced on his X account that private schools in Dubai will switch to distance learning and government services in the emirate will work remotely. .
“Due to the upcoming weather conditions, we have instructed all Dubai government agencies and private schools to work remotely on Tuesday, April 16,” he wrote on X.
Other countries in the Gulf region have been battered by storms in recent days, causing deadly flooding and widespread disruption. At least 14 people have been killed, including nine children, in flash floods in Oman, with emergency teams rescuing two stranded people alive amid heavy rains, National News reported.
Heavy rains have caused flooding on roads in Bahrain's capital Manama, as Kuwait prepares for possible storms today. Saudi Arabia is also preparing for storms until Wednesday.
Oman authorities have also issued warnings to residents.
“The same low-pressure system that affects Oman also affects the UAE. However, due to different topographies, the intensity varies. Oman features extensive Hajar mountain ranges stretching from north to south, resulting in more cloud cover and rainfall compared to the UAE ,” said Ahmed Habib, expert from the National Center of Meteorology.
“Residents, especially motorists, should be careful as there is a risk of heavy rainfall and flooding. Floods are expected in the Wadi area, with possible landslides in the northern and eastern regions near the mountains,” he said.
At the same time, the Ras Al Khaimah Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Team has decided to implement remote learning for schools over a two-day period, specifically on Tuesday and Wednesday, due to expected weather conditions.
In addition, RAK's Public Services Department has announced the temporary closure of all parks and beaches in the city until further notice.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)